Grace

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Saw this today and felt I needed to hear this, actually made me cry, so sharing for anyone who needs to hear this too...

You need to give yourself more grace.

I know you're being hard on yourself. I know you're judging every breakdown, every canceled plan, every moment you're "not handling it well."

I know you're comparing yourself to who you were before. And you're disappointed that you're not that person anymore.

But you need to stop.

Because what you're going through requires grace. So much grace.
Grace for the days you can't get out of bed. Grace for the times you snap at people who don't deserve it. Grace for forgetting things, for being late, for not following through.

Grace for crying in public. For avoiding places that remind you of them. For not being able to handle things you used to handle easily.

Grace for the fact that some days, just surviving is all you can manage.

You're carrying an impossible weight. You're living through the worst thing that's ever happened to you. You're trying to function in a world that doesn't make sense anymore.

And you're doing it. Badly, maybe. Messily, definitely. But you're doing it.

That deserves grace.

You wouldn't expect someone with a broken leg to run a marathon. You wouldn't judge someone recovering from surgery for needing time to heal.

So why are you judging yourself for struggling with grief?
Grief is an injury. A deep, devastating wound that doesn't heal on anyone else's timeline. And you need to treat yourself like someone who's been hurt.

With gentleness. With patience. With grace.

Stop holding yourself to impossible standards. Stop comparing grief-you to before-you. Stop expecting yourself to function like you did when your world was intact.

You're not the same. And that's okay.

Give yourself permission to be different. To be struggling. To be a work in progress.

Give yourself permission to not be okay.

And when you mess up—when you cancel plans, when you forget things, when you can't handle what you used to handle—give yourself grace.

Not because you're weak. Not because you're failing.
But because you're human. And you're grieving. And that's hard enough without adding self-judgment on top of it.

So be kind to yourself. Be patient with yourself. Be gentle with yourself.

Give yourself the grace you'd give anyone else going through what you're going through.

You deserve it.

Even on the days you don't feel like you do.
Especially on those days.

Written by: Aimee Suyko - In Their Footsteps

#loss #death #grief #grieving #griefsupport #griefjourney

  • Oh Kate, I hope you've managed to get a little sleep?

    It really is hard to find the courage and so tiring pretending daily. I feel the same, happy? I don't even know what that is anymore. Someone said to me the other week that I'm lacking joy, I thought no shit! Then went on to tell me how lucky she feels and how she expresses gratitude for her life. Really?!

    Honestly, I don't know how I'm still here...3 and half years and I don't see anything growing around my grief like they say.

    Hope you're able to find some peace today x

  • Oh Kate. 

    I am so sorry to read you are not great at the minute I am sure we have all been there and I think that's how we all get it here. I am just coming out of a wee spell again of being very withdrawn into myself for what I feel is no apparent reason. I think it may be the change of season or something I don't know. I am just comparing myself to what other people are doing just now and that everything is all`hunky dory` for them and I'm stuck. I have had no energy to do anything over the last few weeks but I have started to feel a shift again and hopefully things are getting better now again.  I just think a lot now that it's so unfair that he's not here and what we would have been doing with the weather getting better and the days getting longer but here I am on my own and just trying to make the best of everything as much as possible. You're the same as me we were together for 40 years too and such a shock to the system when they are no longer there. I wish you well and hope things get better for you soon. As Ghostlove said to me remember we are all here for you. Take Care. 

    Vicky x

  • Hi there, yes, I managed to get another 3 hours sleep, which really helped. I have had a much better day today. So, it is possible. SmileThank you for your kindness. It was an outdoor gardening day, hacking and chopping at brambles and digging. I am going to look at my Monty Don manual to create some new garden design ideas. I then went to see my darling with some fresh geraniums. It all helped. Nature, I think, will be my salvation. Kate. xxx

  • Thank you Patty. xxx

  • Hello Kate, We know how you feel as regards missing our Respective Husbands. And when people say " Be Positive " " Practice gratitude "   And ask " what makes you Happy ?" It makes me want to scream. If my Dear Husband were still here I would be able to feel all those things . A lovely Sunny  day like Today brings mixed feelings . Of course we feel better and have a different kind of Energy . But also every sunny day I walk the dogs ,I think He could have come out for a short walk in the Sunshine today if he'd felt up to it. And it makes me cry. I want to shout "Why was he taken from me now. ?" I've been feeling worse because next month we  have The Wedding Anniversary on 1st April. He chose the date so he would never forget it . Although he didn't realise what day /date it was last year because he was feeling so ill. This year would be 48 years married and 50 years together .I'm thinking how he was still here this time last year. And if things had been different he would still be with us. I don't feel like I want to be here , feeling so miserable every day for almost a year now. It's both our Birthdays and eldest son's Birthday . And also my Mum's. I went to spend time with my Mum on her birthday last year . But I've told my eldest sister I won't be joining in any celebration this year. I can't face being with all the family, especially with all my sisters with their Husbands . I will go another day. I have a Monty Don book somewhere I think. I'm still going through boxes since moving last year . It does help going in the garden ,or at least for a walk. I am supposed to be doing something with the back . I have an Angel and a tree +other items to make a little garden as tribute to my Love . That's going to be difficult . Neighbours here don't know I lost my Husband just before we moved house . Which makes it a little easier for me . I'm sure the immediate ones are curious as to whether I'm divorced or a Widow. At least I don't have the pitying looks from across the street. As I get to know some a little better someone might ask . But for now I only have short conversations and don't need to share anything about my personal life . I hope we can all find some peace and in time something like Joy may come back into our Lives . It's tiring being this miserable . 

  • Thank you for your kindness in responding. We were due to move to The West Country, before my husband was diagnosed. We had sold the house and were due to exchange. We had to pull out as he was too unwell. My darling was so disappointed, but it was the right decision. How has the move been for you ? I may have to downsize in the future,I am thinking about options. Kate. xxx

  • I certainly echo how tiring it is being this heartbroken and miserable. I had high hopes for this weeks as Im having to use up my AL so not working but Ive just not felt like it despite the weather. Reminder to myself to have grace when I feel such a failrure at the moment.

    Its Tony birthday soon, last year we went out for a meal with daughter and family and it turned out to be our last meal together. He was doing quite well then, able to potter around, still driving short distances, although still having chemo too.

    Now its just me, looking at what a tip the garden is, and feeling overwhelmed that he isnt here for us both to do our bits.

    Hugs to you all today, whatever it brings to you. 

  • Our move was much needed. I had some Neighbours from Hell living next door. They were abusive and aggressive . I had to keep a lot of the events from My Husband as he was so ill. They knew he was ill ,which is why they were Bullying me . My Husband was in bed most of the time . it  was my decision to move away . I just wish I had decided sooner instead of thinking I could stand up to them. But they just got worse. It took a year to actually sell the House . We had a lot of interest , but the problem was we were getting young couples interested , and due to the Bungalow being not of Standard structure they couldn't get a mortgage . One couple who were desperate to buy it had us waiting 2 months . Having us believe that the sale was going through. But they had apparently tried 3 places to get a mortgage and were rejected . The bad luck carried on . I won't go into the whole story ...but it was a total nightmare . Other neighbours suggested we leave the house and rent somewhere , but the cost of renting + finding a Landlord who would accept 4 dogs was making it difficult. Sadly it was all too much for my dear Husband . I still find it hard to accept that he died just months before we eventually sold and moved . This isn't the House we would have chosen. But it's near my elder Sister who has been a good support . And it's quiet , Garden more manageable for me, be it a little small for the dogs . I only wish My Best Person had come with me . I never imagined I would be here without him. Even if We hadn't all the trouble I couldn't have stayed in that House. I just have so many regrets about the bad choices we made which made his last years miserable . This wasn't the fresh start  we had planned . I hope when you are ready that you find the House you can make a fresh start and perhaps find some Joy and Peace. I wish that we can all get to a better place at least in our minds .  x

  • Hi Bretton!

    Funny you talk about your anniversary being April 1st so you didn't forget. Our wedding anniversary was June 21st (the longest day) so there was no chance we would forget that and my husband passed two days after that on the 23rd so it was as though he was hanging on for just one last anniversary with me but like you because of how ill he was I don't think he even knew what day it was. That was in June 2023. Sending you hugs and best wishes. 

    Vicky x

  • We've had some lovely warm sunny days this week surprisingly. I'm supposed to be sorting the garage out , but only spent one day doing it. I keep getting distracted with other things that need doing. If we get another dry sunny day today why not start by pottering in the garden ,it might get you started Melengwa ? I ended up sitting on the lawn digging weeds out and scraping the moss . The lawn needs reseeding. . My Husband never did any gardening ,so I'm used to doing it alone. Once you get started it will help calm your mind ..I know it does mine. I hope you get some inspiration today.